Tracheostomy may be done as an emergency procedure as needed which is typically performed by a multi-disciplinary team (i.e. anesthesiologist and emergency doctor). Given the high risk of covid transmission, this cross sectional observational study suggested that emergency tracheostomy should be executed by practised physicians with least number of staff and mandatory use of personal protective kit.

To study the effects of emergency tracheostomies in patients with aerodigestive tract tumors during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era.

All the patients (115 patients) who experienced emergency tracheostomy (117 in total out of which 2 had redo tracheostomies) during 24th March, 2020 - 23rd September, 2020 are included in this study. These patients were aged 55 years and >85% of patients were males. The patients initially presented with was dysphagia (40%) and dyspnea (25%). pyriform sinus cancer (45.2%) was the most common tumor site. Stage IVA was exhibited by about 45% of patients.

Ten patients presented with complications which encompassed stomal stenosis in 4 patients, primary hemorrhage in 3 patients, subcutaneous emphysema, infection and wound break down in 1 patient each.

Five residents who had COVID symptoms were tested covid positive out of total 8 who performed emergency tracheostomy.

Although being safe, emergency tracheostomy carries a higher risk of covid transmission regardless of proper safety measures.